PDGS
Partnership for Democratic Governance and Security

THAILAND. GOVERNMENT DATA

COUNTRY NAME:
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand.
Conventional short form: Thailand.

DATA CODE: TH

GOVERNMENT TYPE: constitutional monarchy.

NATIONAL CAPITAL: Bangkok.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon.

INDEPENDENCE: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized).

NATIONAL HOLIDAY: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927).

CONSTITUTION: new constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON on 11 October 1997.

LEGAL SYSTEM: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.

SUFFRAGE: 18 years of age; universal.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH:
Chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946).
Head of government: Prime Minister CHUAN Likphai (since 15 November 1997).
Cabinet: Council of Ministers.
Note: there is also a Privy Council.
Elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms).
Elections: House of Representatives-last held 17 November 1996 (next must be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier).
Election results: House of Representatives-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2, other 2.

JUDICIAL BRANCH: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king.

POLITICAL PARTIES AND LEADERS: Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), leader NA; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATION: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WtrO.

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION IN THE US:
Chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram.
Chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611
Consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION FROM THE US:
Chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH.
Embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok.
Mailing address: APO AP 96546.
Telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000
FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990
Consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai.

FLAG DESCRIPTION: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red.


Source:
CIA World Fact Book, 1998